5 Days Cultural Experience and Gorilla Safari in Rwanda

5 Days Cultural Experience and Gorilla Safari in Rwanda

Red Rocks Rwanda, Musanze Polytechnic, Nyakinama, Rwanda

Gorilla Tracking Rwanda Safaris

Visit Rwanda, Africa's home to some of the last remaining mountain gorillas and a place where you will be warmly welcomed by smiling locals. Rwanda has bravely risen from a tragic past and stands proudly as a representation of Africa's irrepressible beauty. Be awe-struck by the profound power of the endangered mountain gorilla. Your adventure awaits!

During this safari, you will be staying at various accommodations across Rwanda.

Red Rocks Rwanda

Red Rocks is a spacious and friendly backpacker hostel, campsite, and cultural center situated in a picturesque valley surrounded by rolling hills with a spectacular view of Volcanoes National Park. At Red Rocks, the community comes first. Every wall is covered with colorful​ artworks by the talented resident artist Zulu. They have a wide range of facilities including a fully-stocked bar, ping pong table, volleyball court, and fire pit.

There is something for everyone at Red Rocks. It is the perfect home away from home to base yourself while you go gorilla trekking, participating in the unique and vibrant local culture, or just spending a lazy day in a hammock with a banana beer and watching the world go by.

Paradis Malahide

An ideal climate, the perfect amount of sunshine, a relaxing lake, and rolling green hills, Paradis Malahide is ideally situated in an area of unparalleled natural splendor. Located just seven kilometers from downtown Gisenyi, this beautiful space provides the perfect escape. There, each comfortable bungalow was built using local wood and volcanic rock to blend seamlessly into the natural beauty of the area.

A perfect night’s rest awaits you as you fall asleep to the sounds of Lake Kivu floating into the shore. In the morning, you will be enchanted by the songs of the fishermen and birds.

Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Ruhengeri

On arrival at Kigali International Airport (KGL), you will be met by your driver and guide and depart for a short tour to Kigali before embarking on a two-hour drive to Musanze town on the northern part of the country. You will arrive in the evening.

Day 2: Gorilla trekking

Early morning, you will have breakfast then head to the gorilla sanctuary of Parc National des Volcan or Volcanoes National Park, the rain tropical forest covering the hills surrounding Virunga Volcanoes. The trekking is a demanding but rewarding experience. After a briefing from the senior park ranger, you will commence your memorable gorilla trekking which normally takes two to six hours in the jungle. You will be allowed to stay in the presence of the gorillas for a maximum of one full hour.

While planning your Rwanda safari, one should not miss out on the magnificent opportunity to visit Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, home to the world famous mountain gorillas. The lushly forested slopes of the mountains form an appropriately dramatic natural setting for what is arguably the most poignant and memorable wildlife experience in the world, gorilla trekking.

The exhilarating climb to the gorilla’s natural habitat of shady bamboo forest offers fantastic views in all directions before the trackers are immersed in the mysterious intimacy of the rain forest alive with the calls of colorful birds and the chattering of rare golden monkeys. Nothing can prepare you for the impact of encountering a fully-grown silver back gorilla up to three times the size of an average man, yet remarkably peaceable and tolerant of human visitors.

Day 3: Cultural tour and transfer to Lake Kivu

After breakfast, you will be picked up by the local guide who will walk with you through the village to one of the local homes. You will be taught how to weave the traditional basket, how banana beer is produced, and how local meals are prepared. After lunch with the locals, you will head back to the camp to meet up with your driver guide and transfer to Lake Kivu.

Day 4: Spend a day at Lake Kivu

After breakfast, you will be picked from the camp for a morning kayaking tour, the tour will take approximately two hours. You will get back to the camp for a relaxing afternoon.

Day 5: Transfer to Kigali

Depending on what time your flight will was booked for, your transfer to Kigali International Airport (KGL) will happen on this day.

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

In the past years, Kip (Kiptoo) has gained experience as an East African tour organizer and leader for various international tour operators. His professionalism and sincerity, as well as his exceptional understanding of the needs and desires of international visitors, have gained him renown among clients. He is co-founder and team leader of Dream It Do It East Africa Safaris.

This safari will take place in Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu, Rwanda.

Rwanda

Rwanda is a flourishing country. It is small but bears the large title “Land of a Thousand Hills.” Rwanda is home to the “virungas” or great old volcanoes that tower up to almost two and a half miles, and are nearly covered with rich, green rain forest.

Rwanda’s countryside is characterized by rolling grasslands and areas of rugged mountains that extend southeast from a chain of volcanoes. Dian Fossey described the mountains as being “in the heart of central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat.”

Volcanoes National Park

Spanning on a 160-square-kilometer area in the northern part of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is the oldest national park in Africa. It was initially a small area around Karisimbi, Mikeno, and Visoke volcanoes which was gazetted to protect the mountain gorillas which were facing the threat of extinction as a result of poaching.

Volcanoes National Park is home to the mountain gorilla, golden monkeys, spotted hyena, buffaloes, elephants, black-fronted duiker, and bushbuck. The park also harbors 178 bird species including at least 29 endemics to Rwenzori ountains and the Virungas.

This safari is an opportunity for you to immerse yourself not only in game trekking but becoming one with the culture of Rwanda. Have fun and participate in the activities that involve the local lifestyle of the people. Take photographs. Visit museums, villages, and support the local market. Go sightseeing and breathe in some fresh air. All the things that will make your trip worthwhile will be made possible for you.